Motorcycle Operator Endurance Seat Off Road

ABSTRACT

The Motorcycle Operator Endurance Seat—Off Road (MOESOF) is a layered mesh like structure of straps that when installed over an existing off road motorcycle style seat provides additional width to better support a seated rider. The straps are spaced apart and attached together only at the points the straps cross each other. The middle layer of straps is sewn into loops that capture and hold two structural foam seating components, one each on the left and right. These cylinders are suspended alongside the sides of an existing motorcycle seat, the top of the cylinders roughly parallel to the top of the existing seat. When a load is applied by a seated rider the straps firm up under tension caused by the foam wanting to deform under compression. When not under load the structure articulates in place, deflecting out of the way from horizontal rider contact, returning when contact ends.

CROSS REFERENCES

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED

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SEQUENCE LISTING

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BACKGROUND/CONTEXT OF INVENTION

Among other things, skeletal structures in human beings support the weight of an individual, active or resting. When a person is seated on a surface wide enough to support them, the left and right ischium components of their pelvis are the parts of the skeletal structure designed to transfer the load (weight) of their upper body to the surface they are seated on.

To allow maximum operator control of a moving motorcycle in off road conditions the rider must be allowed to move freely across the top of the motorcycle while seated or standing. Performance off road motorcycle seats are motocross style seats, they are purpose built, narrow and firm. They allow for maximum rider agility while riding, but in reality they are not seats at all, rather they are more of a pad along the top of the machine to soften the area that a standing rider will contact when they sit down on a moving bike.

These seats are narrow enough to rest inside the ischium structures of larger and/or heavier operators and can be forced up in between the ischium structures of the pelvis of larger or heavier seated riders. When seated, these larger people now have only soft tissue supporting any weight not supported by their hands or feet. This quickly leads to discomfort as the muscles, organs, and vascular structures normally protected by the bones of the pelvis are asked to do something they are not designed to do, compress to support loads. Add the dynamic and sometimes jarring movement that can occur in off road motorcycle riding and these loads can be briefly magnified.

I personally have been riding off road motorcycles my entire life. When I was younger and lighter and fit, nothing on an off road bike bothered me. As I grew older I worked more at a desk, was active less, became heavier, and less fit. To my surprise I found that comfort became a real obstacle to weekend riding. I could sit in an office chair all day, but I could no longer comfortably spend a day on a dirt bike. I had pretty much given up on performance off road motorcycle riding, something that I always identified myself with.

Then my son grew up some in size and skill and was ready for a full sized dirt bike. I bought him a clean used 2009 WR450. Simply put, that machine is the definition of remarkable. I would ride it for short periods when we would go out, but it was fatiguing and uncomfortable. I had to stand on the bike for long periods to relieve the discomfort I felt when I was seated for any length of time. But I was hooked on the performance and how capable that motorcycle is. When a clean 2007 came up for sale I could not resist and I bought it for myself, thinking that I could surely solve the issue larger riders experience with the industry standard seat.

I thought about it, I spent some time and materials, learned how to sew, followed a few dead ends, and developed a solution. I completed the working prototype in late March of 2015 and have put hundreds of off road miles on it since. It allows me to ride a performance bike for a full day. I am more relaxed on the bike because I am more comfortable when seated. I can stand and operate the bike properly when the terrain calls for it, but I can now also rest on the seat and trail ride the same bike. The additional useable, structural seat width created by the prototype seat makes the difference. I named it based on its function, Motorcycle Operator Endurance Seat—Off Road. That in turn makes a nice acronym, MOESOF or MOESOF seat.

There are many aftermarket manufactures that offer wider replacement seats for street bikes. The off road solution had to offer more than a fixed and un-yielding wider seat. Manufactures try to keep their bikes as narrow as possible. Offering a wider seat would well support a rider seated on an off road motorcycle. But the location on the seat that needs increased width to support a seated rider is the same location that needs to be narrow to preserve good ergonomics of a standing rider. A wide seat would splay the knees of a standing rider as their legs would be awkwardly bowed outward to clear the width of the wide seat. This would take away the inherent strength of having the rider's feet, knees, and hips aligned properly, one under the other on the same vertical plane.

I am spending the additional time and effort to pursue a patent because the developed solution works far better than I could have imagined. It provides a wide supportive seat that does not deform under the weight of a seated rider. It does not interfere with a rider's ability to move forwards or backwards along the seat while seated. It deflects to the rear and up out of the way when the back of the knees of a standing rider contact the front it. It returns to its original position as the rider's knees bend and move forward when they go from a standing to a seated position. And it looks really good too, like a color coordinated factory quality accessory, not an awkward embarrassing geriatric device.

There are other people like me, older bigger riders who have the resources to purchase and use modern performance off road motorcycles. I believe many would do just that and continue to purchase and ride some very satisfying bikes if they could be made more comfortable on these bikes. The MOESOF seat does just that and could open up the performance off road motorcycle segment to a new demographic of potential buyers. The entire industry would benefit.

SUMMARY OF PROTOTYPE

In form, the MOESOF seat prototype is a 3 layered, articulating “webbing” like structure roughly 11″ by 11″ that adds foam seating material to an off road motorcycle and increases the useable seating area under a rider (FIG. 1A).

The middle layer is the main load bearing structure of the MOESOF seat, and in the case of the prototype is made up of; six (1 ½″ wide) nylon straps arranged into loops. These loops are themselves each sewn together in their center to make a dual loop structure similar in configuration to a “figure 8”. They run from side to side across an existing motorcycle seat and are designed to hold additional foam components parallel to each side of the existing seat to the (FIG. 1B). A small gap is maintained between them and they are not directly fastened to each other. These loops capture and retain the additional seating material needed to widen the existing seat surface.

The top layer consists of four straps, two inner straps and two outer straps. They run front to rear and lay over the top of the loops of the middle layer. A gap is maintained between them and they are not directly fastened to each other. They attach to the loops only at the points where they contact each loop. The loops are not stitched closed by the attachment of the top straps, rather each loop is expanded and the top straps attach only to the upper strap of the loops they are in immediate contact with. The inner and outer straps tie the loops of the middle layer together, holding them in place relative to each other (FIG. 1C & 1D).

The bottom layer provides the connection between the bike and the MOESOF seat. It is the structure that is used to anchor the MOESOF seat to the motorcycle. For the prototype, a single strap is used as an anchor strap (FIG. 1E). Each end of the anchor strap is affixed to the bike, and the center of the strap is affixed to a small area on the bottom of the MOESOF seat.

The final components of the MOESOF seat are two structures made of foam suitable for a seat. In the case of the prototype these foam structures are in the shape of cylinders. Each of these has a rigid tube at its core to ensure the foam cylinder has structure to it and will not bend under load. The structural foam cylinders are captured by the loops of the middle layer and are suspended in place alongside the top of the existing motorcycle seat, one each on the left and right (FIG. 1G).

As designed and built there are short runs of strap free of any attachment points running between every point on the MOESOF seat where one strap is connected to another. Additionally the foam components of the seat are merely caged in the loops and straps, they are not physically attached to any strap or component, but rather allowed to float in the pocket designed to contain them.

In function, three behaviors combine to make up the MOESOF seat's functionality. First and foremost it responds to the vertical load of a seated rider by firming up into a wider structural seat. Second, when unloaded by a rider standing on the bike's foot pegs, the MOESOF seat relaxes and as the rider's legs straighten out and their knees move from the front of the bike towards the center of the bike, the MOESOF seat structure will distort in an organized way, deflecting the MOESOF seat foam components to the rear and up out of the way. And third, the entire MOESOF seat structure absorbs the force deflecting it, distributing and storing that force in every length of strap that runs between points where the straps are connected to one another. These many points of distortion or deflection across many short lengths of strap exploit the phenomenon of plastic deformation and the moment the deflecting force is removed the MOESOF seat frame will spring back to its original installed state and return the additional foam components to their position under the rider.

The MOESOF seat's 3 layer design, the materials it's made with, and its web or net like form when assembled, all combine to provide these characteristics and give the MOESOF seat the high level of utility that it has.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROTOTYPE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A_moesof_seat_frame

Rendered drawing illustrating all the components of the MOESOF seat frame as they appear when assembled into a completed seat—view is from above rear left perspective, shows the shape the MOESOF seat frame takes when it is draped over the top of an existing motorcycle seat, as the seat would occupy the recess that extends up and into the centerline of the seat between the left and right edges of the seat

FIG. 1B_moesof_seat_dual_loops

Wireframe drawing illustrating all the components of the MOESOF seat frame as they appear when assembled into a completed seat—view is from above rear left perspective, highlighting one of the six dual loop straps by drawing it with bold lines, showing what a dual loop strap is, numbering each strap based on its position in the assembled seat frame (1 at the front, 6 at the rear), showing how the left and right ends of the loops are expanded to occupy the area on either side of a motorcycle seat, how the top and bottom of the dual loop straps rest on top of each other when passing over the top surface of the existing motorcycle seat, how the dual loop straps are located in the assembled seat frame, and what and where they contacts the other components of the seat.

FIG. 1C_moesof_seat_inner_straps

Wireframe drawing illustrating all the components of the MOESOF seat frame as they appear when assembled into a completed seat—view is from above rear left perspective, highlighting both the left and right inner straps by drawing them with bold lines, showing what an inner strap is and how it is located in the assembled seat frame, what and where it contacts other components of the seat. Note how each end is folded over the top strap only of the dual loop strap 1 and 6 and is only contacting the top strap of all dual loop straps.

FIG. 1D_moesof_seat_outer_straps

Wireframe drawing illustrating all the components of the MOESOF seat frame as they appear when assembled into a completed seat—view is from above rear left perspective, highlighting both the left and right outer straps by drawing them with bold lines, showing what an outer strap is and how it is located in the assembled seat frame, what and where it contacts other components of the seat. Note how each end travels out and around and under dual loop straps 1 and 6 and continues only to the next adjacent strap (2 and 4) and no further.

FIG. 1E_moesof_seat_anchor_straps

Wireframe drawing illustrating all the components of the MOESOF seat frame as they appear when assembled into a completed seat—view is from above rear left perspective, highlighting the anchor strap by drawing it with bold lines, showing what an anchor strap is and how it is located in the assembled seat frame, what and where it contacts other components of the seat. Note how anchor strap contacts only bottom strap of dual loop strap 2, and how long tails extend down from seat frame to be positioned over side covers of motorcycle when MOESOF seat is installed onto motorcycle.

FIG. 1F_moesof_seat_cylinders

Wireframe drawing illustrating all the components of the MOESOF seat frame as they appear when assembled into a completed seat—view is from above rear and slightly left of center perspective, highlighting the two structural foam cylinders by illustrating with bold lines the front and rear disks of each, showing what a structural foam cylinder is and how it is located in the assembled seat frame, and what and where it contacts other components of the seat. Note how this view shows cylinders as they appear when the MOESOF seat is draped over the top of an existing motorcycle seat represented by the recess in the bottom of the seat frame.

FIG. 1G_moesof_seat_cross_section

Drawing showing the load bearing structural components of the MOESOF seat as they appear when assembled and installed on an existing motorcycle seat. Note how the MOESOF seat frame and structural foam cylinders drape over the existing seat and how the shape the existing seat dictates the form of the MOESOF seat frame and the location of structural foam cylinders along the side of the existing seat.

FIG. 2_moesof_seat_load_path

Drawing showing the load bearing structural components of the MOESOF seat as they appear when assembled and installed on an existing motorcycle seat and how they react to vertical loads. The center of the MOESOF seat is supported from below by the existing off road style motorcycle seat, while the structural foam cylinders are not supported from below but are instead supported by the dual loop straps and the sides of the existing off road style motorcycle seat. Note the rigid tube located in the center of the foam cylinder to give the cylinder rigidity front to back to distribute vertical loads across all dual loop straps, note how the top of the structural foam cylinders are held just above the top of the existing seat, note how the top strap of a dual loop strap is suspended between the tops of the structural foam cylinders and how the bottom strap of the dual loop straps is longer to wrap around the cylinders and the existing seat and contact both the top and the sides of the existing motorcycle seat. When the load of a seated rider is applied this configuration causes the unsupported structural foam cylinders on either side of the existing seat to want to roll inwards and clamp down around the supported center of the MOESOF seat, compressing the structural foam cylinders into the sides of the existing seat. This creates tension in the dual loop straps compresses the structural foam cylinders as well as the top and sides of the existing motorcycle seat, creating the rigid MOESOF seat structure of greater volume and width.

FIG. 3_moesof_seat_starter_strap

Drawing showing what the six starter straps look like prior to beginning the process of joining each individually into six large loops. Note each strap is slightly longer than the last, this creates loop structures that graduate in length so that when assembled and installed they fit the slight taper front to back of a motocross style motorcycle seat.

FIG. 4_moesof_seat_strap_join

Drawing showing the method of joining a starter strap into a large loop prior to beginning the process of joining this large loop into a dual loop strap.

FIG. 5_moesof_seat_loop_layout

Drawing showing the intended layout of a single large loop prior to beginning sewing each large loop into a dual loop strap. Note the large loop is collapsed and laid flat on its side with the overlapped joint from FIG. 4_moesof_seat_strap_join arranged on the bottom, and the continuous run of unbroken strap is arranged on top. Also note the same overlapped joint is positioned not in the center of the collapsed large loop but ¼ the way from the left edge of the structure formed by the collapsed large loop.

FIG. 6_moesof_seat_loop_stitch

Drawing showing the location of the stitching on the flat large loop to join it into a MOESOF seat dual loop structure. Note the same overlapped joint is positioned not in the center of the collapsed large loop but ¼ the way from the left edge of the structure formed by the collapsed large loop. Also note the stitching is in the center of the collapsed large loop and it is edge to edge across the collapsed large loop, joining the top and bottom straps of a collapsed large loop into a MOESOF seat dual loop structure.

FIG. 7_moesof_seat_dual_loop

Wireframe drawing of a single MOESOF seat dual loop structure laid out as it would appear when part of an assembled MOESOF seat. Note the location of the overlapped joint is down and away from center. Note the stitching to join the large loop into a dual loop is in the center of the layout.

FIG. 8_moesof_seat_dual_loop_layout

Drawing showing all six MOESOF seat dual loop straps laid out as they would be prior to joining them using the inner and outer straps. Note that the straps are arranged from smallest to largest. Note that the straps are lined up along each strap's centerline with the outline of the arrangement forming an isosceles trapezoid.

FIG. 9_moesof_seat_inner_strap_layout

Drawing showing both inner straps laid out properly across all six dual loop straps prior to fastening the inner straps to the top strap of the dual loop straps. Note the extra length of the inner strap hanging equally over the ends of the dual loop straps.

FIG. 10_moesof_seat_inner_strap_sew_detail

Detail drawing of one of the eight areas where an inner strap is joined with the top strap of a dual loop strap. This detail drawing applies to the attachment points where the inner strap attaches to dual loop straps 2, 3, 4, and 5 only. Note that the top strap and the bottom strap of the MOESOF seat dual loop strap are deliberately separated in this view showing that the inner strap is only in contact with, and only attached to, the top strap of the dual loop strap.

FIG. 11_moesof_seat_inner_strap_stitch_layout

Drawing showing of stitching location to attach inner straps to MOESOF seat dual loop straps numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5. Note that the first and last dual loop straps, numbers 1 and 6, are not stitched to the inner strap, but are instead attached in the next step.

FIG. 12_moesof_seat_inner_strap_end

Detail drawing showing proper configuration and stitching of inner strap ends. Note the inner strap ends only attach to the top strap only of the dual loop strap. Note they wrap around the top strap only of the dual loop strap and are folder under the top strap of the dual loop strap before they are attached. Note that the bottom strap of the dual loop strap is not part of any stitching this step.

FIG. 13_moesof_seat_inner_strap_structure

Wireframe drawing of inner straps properly attached to all dual loop straps. Note the bottom center portion of each MOESOF seat dual loop strap is removed from this drawing to again emphasize the fact that the inner straps are only attached to the top strap of the dual loop straps.

FIG. 14_moesof_seat_cylinder

Wireframe drawing illustrating the details of a single MOESOF seat structural foam cylinder. Note the rigid tube that runs the length of the foam cylinder.

FIG. 15_moesof_seat_cylinder_dual_loop

Wireframe drawing illustrating the placement of the MOESOF seat structural foam cylinders captured by the MOESOF seat dual loop straps as they would appear if the MOESOF seat frame was draped over a motocross style motorcycle seat.

FIG. 16_moesof_seat_outer_strap_layout

Wireframe drawing illustrating the proper placement of the MOESOF seat's outer straps over MOESOF seat structure if the MOESOF seat frame was draped over a motocross style motorcycle seat. Note the outer straps are over the center of, and in line with, the structural foam cylinders. Note the extra length of outer strap hanging over the front and back of the MOESOF seat is of equal lengths.

FIG. 17_moesof_seat_outer_strap_stitch

Wireframe drawing illustrating the proper placement of the stitches to attach the MOESOF seat's outer straps to MOESOF seat structure if the MOESOF seat frame was draped over a motocross style motorcycle seat. Note that the outer straps are laid on top of, and attached to, the top strap of the dual loop straps. Note that at their ends the outer straps wrap around the dual loops where the structural foam cylinders would be installed, continue to wrap around and up to overlay the dual loop straps from below, and are then attached to the bottom strap of the dual loop straps at the point where contact the bottom strap of the dual loop strap. Note that the ends of the outer straps attach only to the first two dual loop straps contacted when wrapped around and under the front and rear of the MOESOF seat, dual loop straps 1 and 2 at the front, 6 and 5 at the rear. Note that once attached as shown, the bottom strap of the middle two dual loop straps 3 and 4 have nothing attached to them. Also note that the length of dual loop top strap is shorter from the center stitching to the outer strap than the longer length of bottom strap from the center stitching out to where the outer strap is attached to the bottom of dual loops 1, 2, 5, and 6.

FIG. 18_moesof_seat_anchor_strap

Detail drawing of the MOESOF seat anchor strap. Hook and loop (Velcro) attachment points at the ends of the MOESOF seat anchor strap are shown. Note the softer “loop” material is what is attached to the anchor strap. Note that both patches of loop material are at the ends of the anchor strap and both are attached to the same side of the anchor strap.

FIG. 19_moesof_seat_anchor_hook_loop

Detail drawing of stitching used to attach the softer “loop” material (Velcro) to the MOESOF seat anchor strap.

FIG. 20_moesof_seat_anchor_layout

Wireframe drawing illustrating the proper placement of the MOESOF seat anchor strap in the completed MOESOF seat load bearing structure. Note the illustration shows the MOESOF seat frame configured like it would be when installed on a motorcycle but in an inverted position to better illustrate the attachment location of the anchor strap. Note the location of the anchor strap over the bottom strap of dual loop strap 2 only. Also note that the loop patches attached to the anchor strap are facing to the inside towards each other.

FIG. 21_moesof_seat_anchor_stitch_layout

Detail drawing of attachment configuration used to attach the MOESOF seat anchor strap to dual loop strap 2. Note the drawing shows dual loop strap 2 and the anchor strap in an inverted position. Note that only the bottom strap of dual loop strap 2 is involved in the anchor strap attachment and that the top strap of dual loop strap 2 is not involved in any way when attaching the anchor strap to dual loop strap 2.

FIG. 22_moesof_seat_anchor_stitching

Wireframe drawing illustrating the proper stitching placement used to attach the MOESOF anchor strap to the MOESOF seat dual loop strap 2. Note the drawing shows dual loop strap 2 and the anchor strap in an inverted position. Note the stitching is only applied in two spots evenly spaced from center.

FIG. 23_moesof_seat_installed

Wireframe drawing illustrating the MOESOF seat frame with structural foam cylinders in place as it would appear when draped over an existing motorcycle seat. Note the perspective is from above and behind. Note all components are present in this view of a completed seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROTOTYPE—COMPONENTS 1. MOESOF Seat—Top Layer

The top layer of the MOESOF seat is made up of four straps. A gap is maintained between these straps and none of these straps directly connect to each other. All four straps run down the length of the MOESOF seat front to back and all are on top of the loop straps. Two of them run on either side of the seat's center line. These are the MOESOF seat's inner straps (FIG. 1C). Two additional straps run parallel to, and outside of, the inner straps. These are the MOESOF seat's outer straps (FIG. 1D). The inner and outer straps tie the dual loops of the seat together and distribute non-vertical loads across the entire MOESOF seat structure. Because they run front to back, forward and rearward movement of a seated operator is eased as that movement is in line with the direction the straps.

Additionally, the outer straps continue beyond the top surface of the MOESOF seat and wrap down around the ends and attach to the bottom of the leading and trailing MOESOF seat loops (FIG. 17). This closes off the ends of the sling-like channel created by lining up the loop straps side by side to create a pocket on the left and right sides of the MOESOF seat. These pockets accept and hold the MOESOF structural foam components. In doing so the outer strap also provides a connection point between the top of the MOESOF seat and the bottom, enough to hold the structural foam cylinders in place but stops short of tying the entire bottom run of loop straps together. This partial disconnect of the MOESOF seat bottom structure allows for greater articulation of the seat, needed in the dynamic environment of off road motorcycle use.

2. MOESOF Seat—Structural Foam Cylinder

Two MOESOF structural foam cylinders are used in a single MOESOF seat. They are an assembly constructed of a lightweight rigid tube at their center surrounded by foam suitable for use in a seat (FIG. 14). The structural foam cylinders are supported along their length by being installed inside the loops of the dual loop straps and are contained there by the outer straps that wrap around their ends.

As an assembly, the seat foam remains suitable for sitting, while the rigid central core keeps the entire assembly as a whole from bending along its length under load. This means that a load applied to a small portion of the top of the structural foam cylinder will be carried by its rigid core and distributed to the entire seat structure. As load is applied the entire foam cylinder assembly moves as a single unit away from the force applied. When installed inside the MOESOF seat loop structure, load applied to any one location of the foam cylinder will deflect the entire foam cylinder, which in turn will distribute the load across every loop in the MOESOF seat to support the load.

The foam cylinders can withstand large compressive loads over large areas of their surface. However the surface of the foam does deform at the point of contact if pressure is concentrated on a spot so the seat remains comfortable while still being supportive. They also provide the additional volume of seat foam needed to widen the existing seat on a motorcycle.

In addition to supporting and disturbing vertical loads, the structural foam cylinders also transfer the force applied to the front of the MOESOF seat as a rider's knees move from the front to the center of the bike as they transition from a seated to a standing position.

Because the foam cylinders are rigid each deflects to the rear as a unit and carries with it the outer strap designed to contain it. Because the outer straps are attached to each dual loop strap in the seat, every dual loop strap becomes part of the distortion of the MOESOF seat frame needed to allow for the cylinder's movement. This movement is distributed across the entire MOESOF seat, expressed as deflections of each length of strap that runs between any two points on the seat where one strap is attached to another.

The additional foam components are placed lose inside the pockets created by the MOESOF seat loop straps and the outer strap and are allowed to float inside the MOESOF seat structure (FIG. 1F). When under the vertical load of a seated operator, the MOESOF structural foam cylinders try to move away from the force but are held in place by the loop straps. This creates tension in the MOESOF seat straps which stiffens the entire assembly into useable seating area. In effect they provide two additional small seats that are held in place alongside the existing motorcycle seat structure. The structural foam cylinder assemblies float inside the dual loop straps; there are no attachment points like stitching or adhesives between the MOESOF seat's structural foam components and the loops and straps that contain them.

3. MOESOF Seat—Anchor Strap

The MOESOF seat anchor strap (FIG. 1E) holds the installed MOESOF seat structure firmly in place on a motorcycle. The two ends of the anchor straps have hook and loop fastener material (like Velcro) stitched in place (FIG. 19). The softer more flexible cloth like loop material is used on the ends of the straps, while the more rigid adhesive backed hook patches are stuck to the side covers of the motorcycle. This allows quick and secure installation/removal/adjustment of the MOESOF seat on a motorcycle.

The center of the MOSEOF seat anchor strap attaches to the bottom of a single MOESOF seat loop strap, number 2, (FIG. 20). This single strap connection and its comparatively small attachment area (FIGS. 21-22), on either side of the center stitching and to the bottom only of a single loop strap (loop strap 2), allows the entire web like structure of the MOESOF seat above the anchor strap connection point the ability to float and/or deflect in response to any operator contact that is other than the vertical downward force of a seated rider. The front center of the MOESOF seat is held in place by the bottom strap of a single loop strap. The upper strap of that same loop strap is allowed to deflect to allow foam cylinder movement. This small anchor point method provides the fixed point against which the rest of the non-anchored seat can exert force. As when the seat is deflected and distorted by a standing rider.

4. MOESOF Seat—Middle Layer

The MOESOF seat's middle layer is made up straps sewn into loops that are arranged across the motorcycle's existing seat (FIG. 1B). Each loop is itself sewn together in the middle creating a dual loop structure (FIG. 7). When installed the loops of the middle layer extend out past the sides of the existing off road style motorcycle seat and are in contact with the both the top and the sides of the existing motorcycle seat (FIG. 1G). The loops of the middle layer of the MOESOF seat are primarily responsible for both load carrying and creating the MOESOF seat's built in flexibility and strong elastic deformation properties. Combined with the structural foam cylinders, these loops increase seating area approximately 85% under a seated rider (64.5 square inches pre-MOESOF vs. 115.5 square inches post-MOESOF in the case of the working prototype).

The dual loops of the middle layer are never collapsed and never stitched to themselves except in the center. The loops are not directly attached to one another and they are only attached to the inner and outer straps of the MOESOF seat frame at measured intervals where the loops and straps cross each other at ninety or near ninety degree angles, and even then only the loop's top strap or bottom strap is involved in any one attachment. This creates a grid pattern in the strap structure of the completed seat, creating many small lengths of free strap attached to nothing that run perpendicularly between connection points.

When placed over an existing motocross style motorcycle seat, the dual loops of the MOESOF seat's middle layer are responsible for absorbing and distributing all the compressive and tensile loads across the entire MOESOF seat structure as well as directing this load to the existing motorcycle seat in a new and different way, not just from the top but now distributing the load to side of the existing off road style seat well.

Under the weight of a seated rider, the loops that make up the MOESOF seat's middle layer experience tension, the MOESOF structural foam cylinders are pushed downward by the weight of the rider but are held in place by the loops, creating compression in the foam cylinders and tension in the dual loop straps that contain them. These two forces combine to clamp down on the existing seat from three sides (top, left, and right sides) and make rigid the entire MOESOF seat structure on the existing seat; they balance each other out, and only exist at the rates needed to support a given load.

This middle layer is also designed to be flexible when not under load. This is important to the performance of the MOESOF seat as it allows a standing rider to deflect the additional foam components out of the way as they move around on the bike. When this happens the “webbing” style of construction of the MOESOF seat allows an unloaded MOESOF seat to deflect at many points across its entire structure when force is applied by a standing rider. This “many points of deflection” feature, and the somewhat stiff characteristics inherent to nylon strap when short lengths of it are pushed out of their resting shape, provides the strong “memory” characteristic to the MOESOF seat.

When an operator stands up an on moving motorcycle their legs straighten and move to a position above the pegs which moves their knees rearward relative to the knee position of a seated rider. This can bring their knees into conflict with some of the area on the side of the motorcycle occupied by the front of the installed MOESOF seat. In this case the front portion of the MOESOF seat's structural foam cylinders that supports operator weight when seated can now be interfering with the back of a standing operator's knee. The effect is to push the structural foam cylinder rearward.

When this happens the MOESOF seat does not bind or kink or twist. Rather every length of strap between connection points of the MOESOF seat deflects along its run through the webbing structure, allowing the MOESOF structural foam cylinders to move rearward while maintaining positions more or less parallel to each other. The straps of each of the 6 dual loop straps deflect to absorb this movement. This movement is distributed across the entire MOESOF seat, expressed as deflections of each length of strap that runs between any two points on the seat where one strap is attached to another.

Deflections occur in each loop strap at; between the stitching at the loop's center (FIG. 7) and the inner strap (FIG. 13); between the inner straps (FIG. 13) and outer straps (FIG. 17); loops 1-2 and 5-6 (FIG. 1D, FIG. 17) deform between the upper and lower attachment points of the outer strap (FIG. 17); and in the case of loop 2 (FIG. 1B) along the length between the center stitching (FIG. 1) and the bottom stitching of the outside strap (FIG. 17) and the anchor strap attachment stitching (FIGS. 21-22). The inner straps (FIG. 13) and outer straps (FIG. 17) transfer deflection force from the MOESOF structural foam cylinders (FIG. 23) through the MOESOF loop straps (FIG. 1B) to the MOESOF anchor strap (FIG. 1E) and back again when the deflection force is removed.

The entire distance of cylinder deflection is spread across these many small distortions. Virtually every part of every strap has built up tension from this deflection. When an operator begins to lower themselves from a standing to a sitting position, the entire structure of the MOESOF seat is trying to return the structural foam cylinders to their resting state. The result is the MOESOF seat return rate is in excess of the return rate of the operator from a standing position to a sitting position.

The MOESOF seat will deflect out of position to allow for unimpeded standing and will return to its original installed resting state the moment the force deflecting it is removed. The MOESOF seat will be in position in time to receive the operator as they return to a seated position.

5. Existing Motorcycle Seat

Alone, an existing off road style motorcycle seat compresses in a single manner, vertically between the load of a seated rider and the unyielding frame of the top of the machine. The top compressing in a single direction, downward, until enough seating material is deflected that its cumulative resistance to compression equals the force being applied.

Importantly, the loops of the MOESOF seat's middle layer hold the MOESOF structural foam cylinders alongside the top of the existing motorcycle seat (FIG. 1G). When installed, the dual loops of the middle layer travel roughly straight across the top of the off road style existing seat left to right, wrap down and around the foam cylinders and then up the side of the existing seat, and back over across the top of the existing seat. This configuration is mirrored on the other side of the existing seat. This arrangement captures roughly the entire volume of the existing seat, straps capturing the top of the seat, and straps holding additional seating foam along the sides of the existing seat.

The MOESOF seat structure adds additional material to both sides of the existing off road style motorcycle seat, increasing its width. It wraps around the top and the sides of the existing seat. The center of the MOESOF seat is supported by the existing seat. The additional foam cylinder components have no support directly beneath them. As a rider sits on this wider platform, the unsupported foam cylinders held by the dual loop straps want to roll inwards and fold around the supported center of the MOESOF seat This roll inward towards the supported center is counteracted by the side of the existing seat (FIG. 2). By capturing and applying compressive loads flat against three sides of the existing seat the MOESOF seat creates the solid base needed to hold its shape under load and provide wider usable all day support to a rider.

Detailed Description of Prototype—Construction 1. MOESOF Seat—Overview

The MOESOF seat consists of five major components. These notes describe building each component and how to create each and assemble each to the next to create a single assembly that is the MOESOF seat structure.

The completed MOESOF seat structure is designed to be laid over the top of an existing motocross style motorcycle seat. It is held in place during use by anchor straps with hook and loop fasteners attached to the side covers of off-road motorcycles. When in place on a motorcycle the MOESOF seat structure appears as it does in (FIG. 1A). Creating and using the MOESOF seat is covered here.

Components:

-   -   MOESOF Dual Loop Straps (FIG. 1B)     -   MOESOF Inner Straps (FIG. 1C)     -   MOESOF Outer Straps (FIG. 1D)     -   MOESOF Anchor Strap with hook and loop fasteners (FIG. 1E)     -   MOESOF Structural Foam Cylinder (FIG. 1F)

2. MOESOF Seat—Cross Section

When in place on an existing motorcycle seat the completed MOESOF seat structure contacts the motorcycle as shown in (FIG. 2). Anchor straps not shown.

3. MOESOF Original Loop—Create

Cut six lengths of strap, each slightly longer than the last, starting with a strap length of 29 ½″ and ending with a strap length of 31 ½″, an increase of ½″ from one strap to the next. (FIG. 1) The measurements listed may vary slightly across different motorcycle makes and models.

One at a time, sew each strap separately into a loop, overlapping the two ends of each strap by 1 ½″, as if the strap were being wrapped flat around a cylinder with a circumference 1 ½″ less than the length of the strap. Join the strap into a loop by sewing only the ends together where they overlap each other by 1 ½″, forming a continuous loop. (FIG. 2)

4. MOESOF Dual Loop Straps—Create

One at a time, lay each loop out flat on a surface, collapsing each loop flat upon itself. Arrange the 1 ½″ overlap stitching from FIG. 2 off center (halfway between the center and the left edge) and down (touching the surface), with the continuous side up, covering the stitching. (FIG. 3)

Create a dual loop straps from each of the original loops by sewing across the loop at its center, joining the top and bottom of the single loop, creating a dual loop strap of two equal sized loops. (FIG. 4)

Taken together the MOESOF seat dual loop straps form the middle layer of the MOESOF seat. When laid over an existing motorcycle seat they form the tension component of the MOESOF seat. (FIG. 5)

5. MOESOF Dual Loop Straps—Layout

Arrange the dual loop straps side by side. Make sure the 1 ½″ overlap stitching where the loop was originally joined together is down (touching the table as in step 2), and the unbroken side is up (on top as in step 2). Order them from shortest (first, front of seat) to longest (sixth, rear of seat).

Line up the center of each dual loop straps along a straight centerline, with 5/16″ inch gap separating the side of one from the side of the next. This will create an isosceles trapezoid shaped arrangement, (FIG. 6). These dual loop straps arranged like this form the middle structural load bearing layer of the MOESOF seat.

6. MOESOF Inner Strap—Layout

Cut two pieces of nylon strap 13 1/16″ long. Arrange each strap across the dual loop strap arrangement (the isosceles trapezoid shaped arrangement from step 3), parallel with the centerline of the isosceles trapezoid. (FIG. 9)

Offset each MOESOF seat inner strap a distance of 1″ from the dual loop centerline so that the nearest edge of the inner strap is 1″ from the center. Leave a tail at either end of each inner strap (FIG. 9). Each tail should be a 1 ½″ length of inner strap hanging over the edge of dual loop strap number 1 in the front and dual loop strap number 6 in the rear (FIG. 1B).

7. MOESOF Inner Strap—Stitching

Each MOESOF inner strap must be attached to only the top strap of each MOESOF dual loop strap numbers 1 through 6 (FIG. 1B). The bottom strap of the dual loop needs to be kept away from the stitching used to join the inner straps to the top strap of the dual loop strap.

The MOESOF seat inner straps are stitched to dual loop straps numbers 2 through 5 at the points where the inner straps cross over the top strap of the dual loop straps (FIG. 10). Stitch the MOESOF inner straps to the arranged MOESOF dual loop straps numbers 2 through 5 as shown in (FIG. 11).

The MOESOF inner straps are attached differently to dual loop straps number 1 and number 6 (FIG. 1B). Wrap the 1 ½″ tails of the inner straps under only the top strap of dual loop number 1 (front, FIG. 1B) and dual loop number 6 (rear, FIG. 1B), and sew into place to finish each end of the inner straps (FIG. 12). The end result will be a structure as shown in FIG. 13. Note in FIG. 13 the central portion of the bottom strap of the dual loop straps are not illustrated to further emphasize that the MOESOF seat inner strap is attached only to the top strap of dual loop straps 1 through 6.

These are the MOESOF seat's inner straps and are part of the top layer of the MOESOF seat. They tie the dual loop straps together and hold them in position while easing rider movement forward and backward across the dual loop straps while seated on the MOESOF seat, as that movement is in line with the direction of the inner straps. And they distribute any rearward horizontal forces that may be applied to the front of the seat by a standing rider to all 6 of the dual loop straps that make up the MOESOF seat frame, distorting each in an organized way, avoiding kinking or binding at any one location.

8. MOESOF Structural Foam Cylinder—Create

Cut two 11″ lengths, 1″ diameter hollow rigid structural tube (like PVC or carbon fiber). Cut two 11″ lengths of 2 ¼″ outside diameter foam tube suitable for use in a seat that has a 1″ interior diameter circular hole running the length of its center. Insert rigid structural tube into center of foam tube to create MOESOF structural foam cylinder. Cover with snug fitting casing (like heat shrink tubing or duct tape like wrap) creating a structural foam cylinder. (FIG. 14)

9. MOESOF Outer Straps—Create

Cut two pieces of nylon strap 23″ in length. These are the MOESOF inner straps.

10. MOESOF Outer Straps—Layout

Take the MOESOF seat structure as it is currently assembled and lay it over an existing off road style motorcycle seat. Arrange the MOESOF seat inner straps in line with the length of the seat, equally spaced on either side of center. Insert the MOESOF structural foam cylinders into the MOESOF seat dual loop straps (FIG. 15)

Place one each outer strap directly on top of, parallel to, and in line with, the foam cylinders inside dual loop straps 1 through 6. Center the inner straps so that there are equal 6″ lengths of strap hanging over each end of the MOESOF structural cylinders, forming 6″ tails. (FIG. 16)

11. MOESOF Outer Straps—Stitching

Wrap the 6″ tails of strap around the end of the each foam cylinder; continue underneath the foam cylinders, to cover the bottom of the first two loops they touch (dual loop straps 1 and 2 in the front, and 5 and 6 at the rear). The bottom of the middle two dual loops 3 and 4, attach to nothing.

Mark the locations where the MOESOF outer straps contact the top strap of dual loop straps 1 through 6 and bottom strap of dual loop straps 1 and 2 at the front and dual loop straps 5 & 6 at the rear. Remove the foam cylinders from the dual loops and stitch the outer straps in place as marked (FIG. 17). Be careful not to sew the dual loops closed, but rather to sew the outer straps to only that part of the top or bottom strap of the dual loop straps they immediately contact when laid in place and marked.

These are the MOESOF seat's outer straps and are part of the top layer of the MOESOF seat. They tie the dual loop straps together and hold them in position while easing rider movement forward and backward across the dual loop straps while seated on the MOESOF seat, as that movement is in line with the direction of the outer straps. They form the ends of the pockets created by the dual loop straps, and they distribute any rearward horizontal forces that may be applied to the front of the seat by a standing rider to all 6 of the dual loop straps that make up the MOESOF seat frame, distorting each in an organized way, avoiding kinking or binding at any one location.

12. MOESOF Anchor Straps—Create

Cut a single 22 ½″ length of nylon strap and lay it flat. Cut two 1 ¼″ by 4 ½″ pieces of loop material (of hook and loop material like Velcro). Place patches of loop material, one at each end of the MOESOF anchor strap, both on the same side of the strap, and both in line with the strap with loops up. (FIG. 18) Leave ¼″ of the MOESOF anchor strap at the very end of the strap uncovered by the loop patch to allow for peeling the loop patch on the anchor strap away from the hook patch adhered to the motorcycle's side covers. Sew the loop patches in place. (FIG. 19)

13. MOESOF Anchor Straps—Layout

Flip the MOESOF seat over so the inner and outer straps are down, and bottom of the dual loop straps (containing the 1 ½″ sewn joint that created the original loop structures) are up.

Position the MOESOF anchor strap on top of, parallel to, and in line with, and centered over the second dual loop strap (dual loop strap number 2, FIG. 1B), with the sewed on patches of loop material facing up. Leave equal lengths of anchor strap hanging over each side of the MOESOF seat. If when you lift the ends of the anchor straps up and towards the center line of the seat, the patches of loop material face each other, the anchor strap is oriented correctly. (FIG. 20)

14. MOESOF Anchor Straps—Stitching

When stitching the MOESOF anchor strap in place, stitch only to that part of the bottom strap of dual loop strap number 2 that is in immediate contact with the anchor strap (FIG. 21). It is important the area of the MOESOF seat connected to the anchor strap be small relative to the total area of the MOESOF seat and that the anchor strap only be attached to the bottom layer of the MOESF seat. This secures the seat to one location on the bike but leaves most of the seat free to articulate when not under load.

Locate these stitches on either side of center; each side stitched a distance of 2 ⅜″ from center, and stitch, fixing the anchor strap to the number 2 dual loop strap. This will complete the anchor strap used to hold the MOESOF seat in place on the motorcycle, and create the bottom layer of the MOESOF seat assembly. (FIG. 22)

15. MOESOF Seat—Assembly

Re-insert one structural foam cylinder into the six loops on each side of the of the MOESOF seat. Pull each structural foam cylinder away from the center of the MOESOF seat towards the edges of the seat until they are supported by the pockets created at the ends of the loops.

16. MOESOF Seat—Installing

Make sure the existing seat and side panels of the motorcycle are clean and free of dirt or oil. With the motorcycle turned off and leaning on its side stand or otherwise held upright, sit on the bike, feet on the pegs, and locate yourself on the seat where you would sit if you were relaxed and traveling on the bike for some minutes. Apply a piece of blue painters tape to the seat at the furthest rearward spot your pants contact the seat. This will be the reference point used to position the rear of the MOESOF seat.

Place the completed MOESOF seat on top of an existing motorcycle seat with dual loop strap 1 forward and dual loop strap 6 covering the blue painters tape by 1″ or 2″ inches to the rear of the existing off road style motorcycle seat. This is a good starting point for the initial install of the MOESOF seat.

The MOESOF seat will conform to the motorcycle seat and assume a configuration as shown in FIG. 23. Pull the anchor straps straight down at an angle perpendicular to the surface of the existing motorcycle seat. Adjust the ends the strap so the MOESOF seat's cylinders are at even heights relative to the top surface of the existing seat. Pull ends of the straps down snug against the top of the existing seat and bring them in towards the side panels of the motorcycle. Mark the positions of the ends of the straps as the lay against the side panels and remove the MOESOF seat from the bike.

Cut two 4″ inch by 4″ inch pieces of adhesive backed hook material. Take the adhesive patches of hook material and peel off the backing paper to expose the adhesive. Using the adhesive, fix each loop patch to the side panels in a position so that the reinstalled MOESOF seat's anchor straps will fall in the center of the hook patch when the MOESOF is returned to the motorcycle and the anchor straps are pulled into position to mount the seat.

17. MOES Seat—Using

Simply install the seat as described in this document (Sect. 16) and ride.

The MOESOF seat does not add to the overall seat height of the bike.

The MOESOF seat adds all these features to an existing bike without any real modifications to the bike but for one sticker on each of the left and right side panels of the bike. 

1. The use of modular structural foam components, ranging from cylinders to right rectangular prisms, each comprising of a piece foam suitable for use in a seat, combined with a light weight rigid structure like a tube or rod running down the length of its center and used for the purpose of increasing the volume or amount of supportive seat material available on an off road style motorcycle seat to increase the available seating area of said motorcycle.
 2. The addition of a light weight rigid structure like a tube or rod running down the length of the center of the modular structural foam component to make the structural foam component resist bending along its length used to distribute a force applied to one spot on the top of the foam component and transmit that force along the entire length of the bottom of the structural foam component to distribute that load throughout the entire structure of a seat to increase the available seating area of an off road style motorcycle seat.
 3. Increasing the seating area of an off road style motorcycle seat through the use of loops comprising of medium weight flexible strap or cord or equivalent, each of which are themselves sewn together at their middle to create a dual loop strap or cord structure with a “figure 8” configuration to be laid left to right across an off road style motorcycle seat for the purpose of capturing and retaining additional foam structures and holding them in place next to the side of existing off road style motorcycle seat to provide additional volume of supportive seat foam to the existing seat to increase rider comfort.
 4. The use of straps or cords under tension to hold additional foam components suitable for sitting on under compression against the sides of an existing off road style motorcycle seat for the purpose of increasing the volume of seating foam available on an off road style motorcycle seat.
 5. The use of loops made of straps or cords to contain, as if in a net or cage, but not directly attached to, additional foam seating components for the purpose of increasing seat volume, structure, and width on an off road style motorcycle seat.
 6. The use of an add-on seat structure comprising of straps or cords and additional foam seating components lay over the top of an existing off road style motorcycle seat so the center of the add on seat structure is supported from below by the existing off road style motorcycle seat and the added foam structures are not supported from below but are instead suspended next to the sides of the existing off road style motorcycle seat so that when sat on the unsupported structural foam cylinders on either side of the existing off road style motorcycle seat to want to roll inwards and clamp down around the sides of the existing seat, compressing the structural foam cylinders into the sides of the existing seat and tensioning the loops to form a wider structural seating area.
 7. The use of a layered seat structure comprising of straps or cords in a web or net or grid like structure where the straps or cords are not directly connected to each other side to side but rather connected together only at the intersections where any two straps or cords cross each other at right or near right angles creating a structure that distributes and stores distorting forces across the many small lengths of strap or cord between connection points that occur both horizontally and vertically across the entire structure for the purpose of adding additional foam seating components to an existing off road style motorcycle seat to increase its useable seating area.
 8. The use of said seat materials and design outlined in claim 7 to exploit the phenomenon of elastic deformation as the method of returning a seat structure from a deflected or distorted position caused by some external force back to its original resting state when said external force is removed by using a strap or cord arranged in line with the applied force to pull on and distort many straps that are arranged perpendicular to the force to distort them and store the deflecting force across many straps or cords to be used to return the structure back to its original installed state when the applied force is removed.
 9. The use of a small anchor surface relative to the overall seat area, between the mounting straps or cords and an existing off road style motorcycle seat, to allow the center of the seat structure to stay put while allowing the rest of the seat structure to be not anchored directly so it is free to deflect, distort, and articulate as needed depending on what forces are applied and removed to the seat.
 10. The use of said seat materials and design to deliver a structure that behaves differently depending on the direction of force applied, holding its position and configuration when no force is applied, becoming rigid and holding its flat shape and being supportive when force is applied in a downward direction, deflecting out of the way when force is applied from the front to rear, and returning to its original installed position when the applied force is removed. 